Early Voting Begins for May 16 Election After House Primaries Suspended
Officials say U.S. House votes will not be counted unless a court overturns the suspension, and early voting continues through May 9.
- On Thursday, Republican Gov. Jeff Landry suspended Louisiana's U.S. House primaries following a Supreme Court ruling that found the state's congressional district map unconstitutional due to racial gerrymandering.
- The Supreme Court invalidated the map, and Landry's order came less than 48 hours before early voting began, allowing the governor and Republican legislators to redraw districts that critics argue could eliminate Black seats.
- Although Secretary of State Nancy Landry cautioned that House votes will not be counted, Public Affairs Research Council's Steven Procopio advised voters to complete these contests, while Registrar Charlene Menard fielded numerous confused calls.
- Absentee ballots containing the suspended races were already distributed, and Sen. Bill Cassidy criticized the decision as treating voters with disrespect, citing the less-than-48-hour notice.
- The May 16 ballot includes Constitutional Amendment 2, which could cost East Baton Rouge Parish schools roughly $100 million if implemented, highlighting broader concerns over electoral stability and governance.
19 Articles
19 Articles
Red state voters confused as GOP cancels House races and scrambles to redraw districts
Early voting for the May 16 election began Saturday with confusion over whether all the races listed on the ballot are still taking place.Even motivated voters who showed up within the first few hours said they weren’t quite sure whether the U.S. House elections were still happening.“I went ahead an...
Early Voting for May 16 Election Begins as Governor Postpones US House Races
Early voting for the May 16, 2026 election officially began on Saturday, May 2. Until May 9, Plaquemines Parish voters will have the opportunity to participate in a slate of primary races for various high-level state and federal offices, as well as 5 proposed constitutional amendments. Polls will be open from 8:30 am to 6 pm at the Registrar of Voters Office in Port Sulphur, the Courthouse Annex Building in Belle Chasse, or the Percy Griffin Com…
Louisiana Illuminator
Louisiana early voting kicks off with confusion over election changes
Election workers assist voters at the State Archives in Baton Rouge on Saturday, May 2, 2026, the first day of the early voting period for the May 16 party primary election. (Photo by Julie O'Donoghue/Louisiana Illuminator)Early voting for the May 16 election began Saturday with confusion over whether all the races listed on the ballot are still taking place. Even motivated voters who showed up within the first few hours said they weren’t quite…
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